Research Interests：
B cells are key players in the immune system with the ability to produce antibodies to eliminate antigens. The molecular processes which control B cell development and activation have been extensively studied for decades at the transcriptional and protein levels. However, the impacts and mechanisms of RNA processing in B cell development and activation are still largely elusive. Our group aims to understand how RNA processing affects RNA biogenesis in B cells and why dysregulation of this process causes B-cell disorders. Specifically, we use different genetically engineered mouse models and various genome-wide approaches to study the fundamental mechanisms controlling B cell development and function at the RNA-processing level.

Professional Experience：
2023-present, Associate Professor (tenured), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, SUSTech
2022-2023, Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, SUSTech
2016-2022, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, SUSTech
2015-2016, Associate Staff Scientist, Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Singapore
2009-2015, Research Scientist, Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Singapore

Educational Background：
2002-2009, Ph.D. (Microbiology), Fudan University, China
1997-2001, B.Sc. (Microbiology), Huazhong Agricultural University, China

Selected Publication：

1. Huang H, Li Y, Zhang G, Ruan GX, Zhu Z, Chen W, Zou J, Zhang R, Wang J, Ouyang Y, Xu S*, Ou X*. The RNA-binding protein hnRNP F is required for the germinal center B cell response. Nature Communications 2023 Mar 30;14(1):1731.
2. Chen W, Li Y, Ruan GX, Huang H, Zhang R, Wang J, Ouyang Y, Li Y, Xu S*, Ou X*. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA-1 is essential for early B-lymphopoiesis. Cell Reports 2022 Nov 22;41(8):111687.
3. Li Y, Ruan GX, Chen W, Huang H, Zhang R, Wang J, Li Y*, Xu S, Ou X*. RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 p150 isoform is critical for germinal centre B cell response. The Journal of Immunology 2022 Sep 15;209(6):1071-1082.
4. Huang H, Zhang G, Ruan GX, Li Y, Chen W, Zhou J, Zhang R, Wang J, Ji SJ*, Xu S, Ou X*. Mettl14-mediated m6A modification is essential for germinal centre B cell response. The Journal of Immunology 2022 Apr 15;208(8):1924-1936 (Featured Article).
5. Ruan GX, Li Y, Chen W, Huang H, Zhang R, Chen C, Lam KP, Xu S, Ou X*. The spliceosome component Usp39 controls B cell development by regulating immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. Cell Reports 2022 Feb 8;38(6):110338.